How do I use a multimeter to select a power supply for my computer?
Choose a strong heart - how to use a multimeter to choose a computer power supply? Nowadays, the new generation of graphics cards, sound cards, optical drives, hard drives and other accessories in the power consumption of anyone is not an oil lamp. When you love the machine stuffed full of fat brain when you have ever thought of it with a strong heart.
On the identification of power supply methods of newspapers and magazines have been a lot of prawns on the theory, summed up roughly three:
A look - look at the power supply material is fine, whether fine workmanship, layout is reasonable. Honestly speaking, this programme is more or less difficult. First of all, it requires the implementation of sufficient electronic knowledge; Secondly, to see the power supply of the five viscera and six lungs thoroughly really have to open the power supply cover shell can not be, which will inevitably destroy the business warranty seals, seals a bad automatically lose the business warranty, even if the power supply has problems have to DIY. I think a lot of ordinary rookies are so desperate, hopelessly forced into prawns.
Second touch - refers to the power supply fan after a period of time to touch the power supply fan blowing out of the wind is hot, whether the cover is hot.
Three smell - smell the power supply in a longer period of time after work whether it will emit a burnt odour. The latter two are purely perceptual experience accumulation, the novice has no experience to speak of and how to make a judgement? Here, I recommend a multimeter to judge the power supply good or bad method, perhaps for novices to provide some help.
First of all, of course, is to find a multimeter (preferably digital), and will have to use the multimeter. aTX power supply voltage provided by the main 3.3V, 5.0V, 12.0V several kinds of which 12.0V is the main energy to drive the work of the hardware equipment, in the connection with more loads after the change is also * obvious, so in the connection with all the loads of the computer, any choice of a free output head, the black pen into the black line interface, the red pen into the yellow line interface (the purpose is to detect the 12V output voltage). Connected to the plug connector can be switched on after the test. After powering on the multimeter, we can find that the multimeter data is constantly changing, until the system is completely started to stabilise. Note down the value of the voltage at this time, it should be in the normal 12V or so (about 11.95V to 12.15V, too low to ensure stable operation of large loads for long periods of time, and there is no potential for expansion, too high and will make the device heat, premature aging).
Then press rESET to restart the machine. At this time to keep a close eye on the value of the multimeter changes, boot self-test when the multimeter value will reach its lowest point. Note down the voltage value at this time. If the voltage difference between the highest value and the lowest value is not too large (within 0.3V), the power supply is acceptable. If the voltage difference is too large, it means that the power supply load capacity is poor, should not be selected. I have personally encountered a 300W power supply whose highest value was 12.32V but the lowest was only 11.73V, and it frequently crashed when in use. Finally, observe the situation in use. Run all kinds of software, and then use the CD-ROM drive to listen to music, so that all parts of the machine are operating. Pay attention to the voltage at this time, if there is no obvious fluctuation then it can be selected.
